About:
Miracle and Wonder (Special Edition): Conversations with Paul Simon by Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam, and Paul Simon is an audio biography of the famous singer/songwriter. This is not just an audiobook, it's an experience.
- 5 hours and 45 minutes
- Publisher : Pushkin Industries
- Language : English
My rating for Miracle and Wonder - 5
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Thoughts:
I did not know what to expect from this audiobook, but I've read some reviews which were over the top positive, hailing this audiobook as one of the best they've ever heard. Those reviews were not positive enough!
Miracle and Wonder is not just an audiobook; it's an extraordinary experience which reinvents the non-fiction genre. The authors recorded over thirty hours of intimate conversations with Paul Simon who, I thought, was happy to talk about many things, with no ego and almost unbelievable honesty.
This is not a traditional audiobook with traditional narration. It seamlessly weaves interviews, music, songs, and tapes directly into the storytelling. When the few celebrities are interviewed, the narrator doesn't quote them, we actually hear them in their own words.
The topics range from Mr. Simon's famous songs (The Boxer, The Sound of Silence, Graceland and many more), to his choices of chords and many other topics in between. During the interviews, it seems Mr. Simon brought his guitar with him and demonstrated what he wanted to get through. When he talked about chord choices, he played the chords while explaining his reasoning.
Mr. Gladwell and Mr. Headlam are not only fans, but curious and analytical. They placed Mr. Simon's long career into historical perspective with social insights to reflect on how his music and lyrics not only stood the test of time but also changed meaning as they aged.
I especially liked it when Mr. Simon said, "the listener completes the song". He, as the poet, only provides the framework, but what it means is up to the listener to decide. He is absolute right, not just about his song but about every work of art, from songs, to paintings, to books.
Buy Miracle and Wonder from Amazon.com*
Do you think it's right that the audience get to interpret any piece of art by themselves, regardless of what the artist was trying to say?
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this audiobook for free
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account, the money is usually spent on books
